Decanting dry lye

[Nao]

I bought a 5kg package with lye the other week not knowing what kind of container(s) I would receive it in. Today it arrived in one big bag, so I figured I have to decant it.

I think I have enough old lye bottles laying around for the whole bag and I thought I was going to do it with a funnel, outside, with the usual safety gear (googles and globes).

But I am a bit nervous about handling such a big amount of lye all at once and also about dust, I haven't noticed any dust with this particular supplier but just because I can see it doesn't mean it isn't there. Then again I don't think I've ever heard about anybody having dusty NaOH so maybe that isn't even a problem?

So, um, anybody having any good advances or reassuring words they want to share with me?

 

[toxikon]

If they're beads, you'll wanna rub a dryer sheet on the outside of all your containers, funnel and bag of lye. Those beads are awfully static-y and the dryer sheets help a lot.

 

[earlene]

If you have an enclosed (non-windy) area like a garage or a basement where you could do this, I think it might be better than outside. Even a carport with a roof and 3 walls would be okay, I supposed as long as there are no winds to stir up dust. If you have a scoop and a big sturdy funnel, I think you'll be just fine. Great that you have those spare lye bottles on hand.

 

[shunt2011]

I was purchasing my lye in 50 lb bags from a local supplier. They weren't beads but flake type. I would glove up and wear long sleeves then just take the bottle and put it inside the bag and use my hand to scoop the lye into the bottle. I did this in a well ventilated area and wore a mask to keep any dust from being breathed in. Unfortunately they raised their prices so now I order it online in bottles.

 

[Nao]

If they're beads, you'll wanna rub a dryer sheet on the outside of all your containers, funnel and bag of lye. Those beads are awfully static-y and the dryer sheets help a lot.

I don't have dryer sheets, I'm not even sure they are sold here, would something else work instead?

If you have an enclosed (non-windy) area like a garage or a basement where you could do this, I think it might be better than outside. Even a carport with a roof and 3 walls would be okay, I supposed as long as there are no winds to stir up dust. If you have a scoop and a big sturdy funnel, I think you'll be just fine. Great that you have those spare lye bottles on hand.

That does make sense, I'll see if I can do it in the barn then!

I was purchasing my lye in 50 lb bags from a local supplier. They weren't beads but flake type. I would glove up and wear long sleeves then just take the bottle and put it inside the bag and use my hand to scoop the lye into the bottle. I did this in a well ventilated area and wore a mask to keep any dust from being breathed in. Unfortunately they raised their prices so now I order it online in bottles.

Now THAT sounds scary, and here I am all worked up over my tiny bag lol. I do have those disposable face masks, not the papery ones, they're more like thick fabric, I know they don't work for lye fumes but would they work for lye dust, you think?